Ribfest will tickle your taste buds

Published: Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 9:22 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 9:22 a.m.

FLETCHER

Doug Jackson, owner of Bad Wolf BBQ in Etowah, quickly wrapped ribs from his smoker in aluminum foil to keep them moist.

“We’re about the meat,” Jackson said.

“Sauce is just something you put on to make it taste a little better, but they don’t need it.” The local barbecue restaurant was one of several participants in the annual Carolina Mountain Ribfest, which continues today from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the WNC Agricultural Center. Last year, Bad Wolf took home the Best Sauce award.

Jackson said he gets out to local shows to meet people and promote his restaurant on U.S. Highway 64.

“It’s all wood,” Jackson said of his cooking method. “We have a fire pit in the restaurant.”

Jackson bought 300 racks of ribs for Ribfest — he sold about 240 last year. He said the weather will impact how much of the cooked meat he will sell this weekend.

Ribs happen to be Jackson’s favorite meat. He said people are drawn to barbecue because it’s something they can cook themselves, and it’s about family.

“I’ve been smoking (meat) since I was little,” Jackson said.

Customers also enjoyed the food.

“It tastes pretty good,” said Shirley Baumgardner of Bristol, Va. “I like the fact that it is a little chewy off the bone, and the taste of the barbecue sauce.”

Viola Ketchum, also of Bristol, and Shirley Lovell of Bristol, Tenn., agreed.

“I like for it to be tender,” Ketchum said. “And I like a good sauce.”

“I like for it to be a little sweet and not too spicy,” Lovell said.

Admission to Ribfest is $7 and children younger than 12 are admitted free with an adult. For more information call 828894-8847 or visit www.ribfests.com.

<p>FLETCHER</p><p>Doug Jackson, owner of Bad Wolf BBQ in Etowah, quickly wrapped ribs from his smoker in aluminum foil to keep them moist.</p><p>“We're about the meat,” Jackson said.</p><p>“Sauce is just something you put on to make it taste a little better, but they don't need it.” The local barbecue restaurant was one of several participants in the annual Carolina Mountain Ribfest, which continues today from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the WNC Agricultural Center. Last year, Bad Wolf took home the Best Sauce award.</p><p>Jackson said he gets out to local shows to meet people and promote his restaurant on U.S. Highway 64.</p><p>“It's all wood,” Jackson said of his cooking method. “We have a fire pit in the restaurant.”</p><p>Jackson bought 300 racks of ribs for Ribfest — he sold about 240 last year. He said the weather will impact how much of the cooked meat he will sell this weekend.</p><p>Ribs happen to be Jackson's favorite meat. He said people are drawn to barbecue because it's something they can cook themselves, and it's about family.</p><p>“I've been smoking (meat) since I was little,” Jackson said.</p><p>Customers also enjoyed the food.</p><p>“It tastes pretty good,” said Shirley Baumgardner of Bristol, Va. “I like the fact that it is a little chewy off the bone, and the taste of the barbecue sauce.”</p><p>Viola Ketchum, also of Bristol, and Shirley Lovell of Bristol, Tenn., agreed.</p><p>“I like for it to be tender,” Ketchum said. “And I like a good sauce.”</p><p>“I like for it to be a little sweet and not too spicy,” Lovell said.</p><p>Admission to Ribfest is $7 and children younger than 12 are admitted free with an adult. For more information call 828894-8847 or visit www.ribfests.com.</p><p>Reach Goodman at 828-694-7867 or jessica.</p><p>goodman@blueridgenow.com.</p>